Entertaining but Overlong and Superficial

Rating: 6/10 (22 August 2013)

So let's take some 21st-century Godzilla-type Monsters with large Robotech-esque Machines and build a disaster movie around it. That's what director Guillermo del Toro has done in his loud, colorful, and action- packed update called "Pacific Rim". It is reminiscent of the much older "Independence Day" in the same shallow feel which isn't a compliment. Toro Super-sizes the effects and action, while the script is superficial and forced much of the time. Still the huge bravado is captivating and colorful in several scenes, entertaining enough to help you forget the boring interludes. There's too much filler scenes though that are not really well acted or scripted, and the asia-phile-ness is on full display too in excess. In short it's overlong by 15 min, and could've been leaner. This is a fan-boy movie, though it does have a few good bits of humor. Mildly Recommend, and worthy of a theater watching for the spectacle. 6/10